Translation guide
The English word 'what' is used in questions, as a relative pronoun, and in exclamations. Japanese expresses these functions through different question words, particles, and sentence patterns. The most common equivalent is 何 (なに/なん), but its reading and usage depend on context. This guide covers how to ask 'what' questions, use 'what' in embedded clauses, and express surprise or emphasis.
The speaker wants to ask for information about something, equivalent to 'what' in English questions.
The basic word for 'what'. Used before particles like が, を, に, で, etc. Pronounced なに in most cases.
Used before です, だ, and counters (e.g., 何時, 何枚). Also in the phrase 何で (why/by what means).
それは何ですか。
What is that?
Asks 'what kind of' or 'what' when followed by a noun. 何の means 'of what'.
何の本ですか。
What book is it? (What kind of book?)
Asks 'how many' or 'what' with counters. 何 is read as なん before counters.
何枚必要ですか。
How many sheets do you need?
The speaker wants to express 'what' inside a larger sentence, like 'I don't know what to do'.
Means 'something' or 'what' in embedded questions. 何か can be used as 'what' in indirect questions when followed by a verb.
何を買うか決めましたか。
Have you decided what to buy?
Standard way to embed a 'what' question. The question word 何 is followed by the appropriate particle and verb, then か.
The speaker wants to refer to a thing or idea previously mentioned, like 'what I want' or 'what happened'.
The most common way to express 'what' as a relative pronoun. こと nominalizes the verb phrase, meaning 'the thing that'.
私が欲しいのはこれです。
What I want is this.
彼が言ったことは本当です。
What he said is true.
The speaker wants to express surprise, admiration, or strong emotion, like 'What a beautiful view!'
Expresses 'What a ...!' in an emotional way. なんて adds a sense of surprise or admiration.
なんて美しい景色なんだろう。
What a beautiful view!
More formal or literary version of なんて. Often used in writing or formal speech.
The speaker wants to use common expressions like 'What's up?', 'What about you?', or 'What do you mean?'
Casual 'What's wrong?' or 'What happened?'. Used when someone seems upset or something seems off.
どうしたの？元気ないね。
What's wrong? You look down.
In many common expressions, 'what' is not directly translated as 何. For example, 'What's your name?' is お名前は？ (おなまえは？), not 何の名前ですか. Learn set phrases instead of literal translations.
お仕事は何ですか。
What is your job? (lit. 'What is your work?')
何 asks for identification or a specific answer, while どんな asks for description or type. 'What kind of book?' can be 何の本 (なんのほん) or どんな本 (どんなほん). 何の本 asks for the content or title, どんな本 asks for the genre or impression.
何時ですか。
What time is it?
彼が何を言ったか覚えていません。
I don't remember what he said.
Similar to こと, but もの emphasizes a tangible object or a more concrete thing. Often used for 'what' in a physical sense.
食べるものはありますか。
Is there something to eat? (lit. 'Is there what to eat?')
Casual equivalent of こと or もの. Used in informal speech to mean 'the thing that'.
欲しいのはこれ。
What I want is this.
なんと素晴らしい日だろう。
What a wonderful day!
Means 'And you?' or 'What about you?'. Often used after answering a question.
私は元気です。あなたは？
I'm fine. What about you?
Casual 'What do you mean?'. Used to ask for clarification.
どういう意味？わからない。
What do you mean? I don't understand.
What kind of book is it? (Is it interesting?)
What kind of book is it? (Is it interesting?)